Open Thread: Across the Universe Edition

So how long (0.00 / 0)

until our health plans are deemed "Cadillac," and then our employers face tax pressure to decrease benefits?

No worries, I'll just sign up for the public option.

Oh, wait...

This bill is junk wrapped up with a bow:

 

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 05:17:42 AM CST

I shoulda been a lobbyist (0.00 / 0)

...as I start my 59th trip around that burning star we call the Sun, I wonder how some people are so constituted without conscience?

'Aints no more

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by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 07:22:38 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Is that Barry Goldwater? (0.00 / 0)

Appropriately positioned to the right on that screen, the guy looks a lot like someone who today would probably be called a RHINO by Limbau et al.

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by: FrankLloydMike @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 09:32:21 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Details of the Ultimate Senate Health Care Plan (4.00 / 7)

From today's Borowitz Report:

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) - The United States Senate today unveiled details of its health care plan, tentatively called CompromiseCare:

   * Under CompromiseCare, people with no coverage will be allowed to keep their current plan.

   * Medicare will be extended to 55-year-olds as soon as they turn 65.

   * You will have access to cheap Canadian drugs if you live in Canada.

   * States whose names contain vowels will be allowed to opt out of the plan.

   * You get to choose which doctor you cannot afford to see.

   * You will not have to be pre-certified to qualify for cremation.

   * A patient will be considered "pre-existing" if he or she already exists.

   * You'll be free to choose between medications and heating fuel.

   * Patients can access quality health care if they can prove their name is "Lieberman."

   * You will have access to natural remedies, such as death.

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by: Tim Ashwell @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 10:18:43 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The 2009 equivalent (0.00 / 0)

of check your guns.

OK not really. I couldn't think of a better comparison.

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by: JimC @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 08:36:54 AM CST

Shut it down. (4.00 / 1)

WASHINGTON -- Militants in Iraq have used $26 off-the-shelf software to intercept live video feeds from U.S. Predator drones, potentially providing them with information they need to evade or monitor U.S. military operations.

...

U.S. officials say there is no evidence that militants were able to take control of the drones or otherwise interfere with their flights. Still, the intercepts could give America's enemies battlefield advantages by removing the element of surprise from certain missions and making it easier for insurgents to determine which roads and buildings are under U.S. surveillance.

About one percent of all the money in the world is spent on US military and intelligence, not a small amount to R&D contracts, but we have unmanned bombers flying around piloted by unencrypted signals?

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 10:14:43 AM CST

Isn't this old news? (0.00 / 0)

I feel like I read this in Aviation Week years ago.

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by: Alex Gallichon @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 20:46:40 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I feel like I saw it on NCIS a month ago. (0.00 / 0)

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 22:14:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Labor mulls next step on HCR (4.00 / 2)

Labor Holds Emergency Meetings To Discuss Senate Bill, May Formally Oppose

The labor community has already poured massive resources into the health care debate. Now there is a growing concern that the money and time may have not been well spent. As one high-ranking labor official emailed the Huffington Post:

"What is really frustrating folks here is that it's impossible to make and implement plans to pressure senators when the White House and Reid keep undermining the efforts no one from the outside can put any credible pressure on Senators because they know the White House will back that Senator up whatever they do. If the White House is going to cave to a Senator who spent the entire election campaigning with McCain and calling Obama a traitor how are we supposed to have any leverage over anyone?

"If Lieberman -- who has done so many horrible things directly to Obama -- can get away with this on Obama's signature issue it makes it infinitely harder for us to pressure senators, on issues in the future, because there is no fear of retribution or coercion from the White House. They only pressure progressives, not anyone in the middle."

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com
www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 10:46:09 AM CST

Perspective is appropriate (4.00 / 1)

DO I think the Senate is making a great bill, not particularly. Is it good, I don't really think it will help most people I know.

But this picture of the universe is a lot larger than I am.

thie following article hit the right tone of perspective for me: "What would Teddy do?"

http://narcosphere.narconews.c...

And if this once in a lifetime chance to get the foot in the door with a health care law through Congress falters, it will likely be another 60 years before there will be another.
The unsubstantiated claims that this bill can be ripped up and the process can start anew ignore the lessons of the last six decades of US history. As Ted Kennedy understood, every issue has its moment and the iron has to be struck while it is hot. When "Hillarycare" crashed and burned in the 1990s, was there a second chance a year later? Nope. Not until now. If this bill gets killed, the game is over. That's the fire that the bill killers are playing with.
Do it for the 30 million uninsured. Or if you don't really care about poor and working folks (as seems evident to me reading the bill-killers' "look at ME!" discourse) then at least go out and win this one - or get out of the way - for Teddy.

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by: robert @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 11:48:14 AM CST

Reading tea leaves (0.00 / 0)

(I almost changed that, but we can't let the teabaggers have "tea" forever.)

From a Chris Dodd fundraising e-mail:

As we fight for real reform, I cannot promise you that we will win every battle. There will be setbacks and moments of frustration.

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by: JimC @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 13:57:39 PM CST

A Status Update (4.00 / 1)

from one of my FB friends. Seems fitting.

"A just cause is not ruined by a few mistakes." Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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by: Jennifer Daler @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 14:06:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

So disappointed... (4.00 / 1)

that no one as done this! JBB it was a softball over the center of the plate, I thought I knew you!

Hope > Fear



Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 14:42:58 PM CST

I've been self absorbed today (0.00 / 0)

birthday blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

'Aints no more

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by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 19:42:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Pelosi Rachets (4.00 / 1)

Ms. Pelosi made an impassioned case for passing health care legislation, saying, "Whatever we have, it will be great in its significance, in its significance and the impact it will have. It is definitely historic and very consequential to the lives of the American people."

But before that, a showdown of sorts is looming. "They will pass a bill, and we will have a bill," Ms. Pelosi said. "And our members are very enthusiastic about our House bill, and we want to defend our position. At some point, though, the legislative process will say that they have to yield on things and we have to yield on things."

Ms. Pelosi also acknowledged that such a compromise, particularly on the abortion language, could cost the vote of Representative Anh "Joseph" Cao of Louisiana, the sole Republican in the House to vote in favor of the health care bill.

Asked if she was willing to lose his support, Ms. Pelosi replied: "I never count on Republicans."

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com
www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 17:29:27 PM CST

Don't worry. (4.00 / 1)

With your pre-existing condition, we'll have to shell out 3x as much in taxpayer subsidies to a private insurer so they will take you. Just as good as a public option!

Thanks Mary!

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 18:44:47 PM CST